Some of which I rarely listen to — I debated over “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” but I wanted to include some chamber music, and it is definitely one that everyone knows. The Haydn String Quartets are a fount of quality, but I don’t know if any individual one is so famous.

I started to add another list going further into the 19th century, but I know you’re already deluged with suggestions.

I second Mahlerian’s suggestion to listen to complete works, not just the most-famous bits. And youtube is okay for exploring, but you might find it worthwhile to subscribe to spotify or some other streaming service. (You can listen to spotify for free, but you have to pay to get rid of the ads.)

I started to add another list going further into the 19th century, but I know you’re already deluged with suggestions.

This is true! Still, I remain grateful for all the recommendations.

I am listening to whole works but I'm afraid I can't manage them at a single sitting. Life gets in the way. Hence, I am in the middle of The Messiah at present, from Mahlerian's list. But I'm going to work through this thread diligently, because 'if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well...'

There is life, and there is the sustained, attentive time-period required by a substantial piece of music. It is a balance, a tension, yes; but I consider it a tension between two entirely worthy gravitational pulls.

Some of the pieces above really don’t answer the question that was asked.

[snip]

... I debated over “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” but I wanted to include some chamber music, and it is definitely one that everyone knows. The Haydn String Quartets are a fount of quality, but I don’t know if any individual one is so famous.

Point very well taken, to be sure. Without seriously contesting your point, I'll say that I snuck a Haydn quartet in, when for my second set I kept to the one century. (Still, in strict compliance with the request, I agree that no chamber work . . . probably no 18th-c. symphony . . . of “Papa’s” really fits the request.)

To that point, though (and our Gurn has forborne to upbraid us for this lacuna, and his self-restraint is truly a marvel to contemplate):

In a list of a dozen classical pieces that everyone is ‘expected’ to know, who of us can deny that the below example ranks quite high? Yet, we’ve all managed to omit it, somehow . . . .

"l do not consider my music as atonal, but rather as non-tonal. I feel the unity of all keys. Atonal music by modern composers admits of no key at all, no feeling of any definite center." - Arnold Schoenberg

For my part, I excluded it only because I was keeping to one piece per composer.

Likewise! For, truly, one could list 12 LvB pieces which “a musically literate person” (as an earlier generation would see it) should be expected to know.

(I should be curious to see the old College of Wooster listening lists for music majors, from which material for the annual “drop the needle” tests would be selected. There must indeed be 12 LvB works there . . . .)

Thanks for the latest recommendations. There are a lot more than 12 'pieces which would embarrass me not to know', so plenty of room for a few each by the great composers. I'm still working valiantly through the first page posts - valiantly but very enjoyably.

Thanks for the latest recommendations. There are a lot more than 12 'pieces which would embarrass me not to know', so plenty of room for a few each by the great composers. I'm still working valiantly through the first page posts - valiantly but very enjoyably.

There’s no rush, which is part of the beauty.

The enormous blessing is, there is such a wealth of good literature to hear. We shan’t ever exhaust it.

I didn't bother listening to Bolero as I know it well already - used to love it but have gone off it somewhat. Of the rest, there are quite a few I already knew, but who could object to listening to Messiah again? It remains wonderful no matter how many times. Ditto Swan Lake & 'Moonlight'.

Some things which I hadn't heard before - yes, blushing now - surprised me. I really loved the Schumann, and enjoyed the Debussy.

I had never before heard The Rite of Spring. I am not sure (totally) whether I like it, but it is arresting - impressive - stunningly original - though why they rioted, I still can't imagine. Maybe the suggestiveness of the dancing, maybe something febrile in the atmosphere, maybe just a good excuse for a rammy.

Thank you very much, Mahlerian, for taking this trouble on my behalf.

I have already listened to Karl's post, #2, and very enjoyable it was. Now for North Star and Spineur (rubs hands with glee...)

I didn't bother listening to Bolero as I know it well already - used to love it but have gone off it somewhat. Of the rest, there are quite a few I already knew, but who could object to listening to Messiah again? It remains wonderful no matter how many times. Ditto Swan Lake & 'Moonlight'.

Some things which I hadn't heard before - yes, blushing now - surprised me. I really loved the Schumann, and enjoyed the Debussy.

I had never before heard The Rite of Spring. I am not sure (totally) whether I like it, but it is arresting - impressive - stunningly original - though why they rioted, I still can't imagine. Maybe the suggestiveness of the dancing, maybe something febrile in the atmosphere, maybe just a good excuse for a rammy.

Thank you very much, Mahlerian, for taking this trouble on my behalf.

I have already listened to Karl's post, #2, and very enjoyable it was. Now for North Star and Spineur (rubs hands with glee...)

You're welcome.

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"l do not consider my music as atonal, but rather as non-tonal. I feel the unity of all keys. Atonal music by modern composers admits of no key at all, no feeling of any definite center." - Arnold Schoenberg

As someone fairly new to classical music who can be easily embarrassed by my ignorance, I'm wondering whether any of you seasoned listeners could provide a list of a dozen classical pieces that everyone is 'expected' to know?

All help is gratefully received. Thank you.

I’ll try and give a list, but please be aware that I only pursue music I’m interested in, so my list will pertain to works that I believe most listeners, myself excluded ( ), should know and I’ll limit my list to 15 works (in no particular order):